Father accused of tackling teen basketball player

The father of a high school basketball player is accused of tackling a girl on the opposing team, authorities said.

Debra said her daughter, Jetta, a senior at Classen School of Advances Studies, suffered a concussion and is still recovering from her injuries.

"I'm very proud of her, and she's a very strong and articulate young woman," said Smith.

Smith said the attack happened on June 5 during a basketball game at Douglas High School.

According to court documents, 54-year-old Leeroy Prince Jr. held Jetta Smith in a choke hold, and then "slammed her down onto the court, causing her to hit her head on the floor."

"The most serious thing was that she had a concussion and she had problems with that for about three weeks," said Smith.

Smith said despite her injuries, Jetta is focused on the future.

"Jetta is Miss Black Oklahoma U.S.A. Talented Teen, and she competed in the Miss Black U.S.A. pageant in Washington D.C. on Aug. 11, and she took third place," said Smith.

Smith has always been her daughter's biggest cheerleader, saying she understands that parents can get heated up during games, but she hopes her daughter's story will serve as a warning.

"We're very pleased that the district attorney pursued these charges," said Smith. "It's not OK for parents or adults to come out of the stands and attack basketball players or any kind of child playing during a game."

Authorities said Prince was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault and battery.

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